Major Cheerleading Competition Moves Away from Disney—Here’s Why It Matters

A major shift is coming for one of the country’s largest youth sports events. Pop Warner Little Scholars, the leading organization for youth football, cheer, and dance, announced that its Pop Warner Super Bowl and Cheer & Dance Nationals will relocate from Orlando, Florida, to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

The Pop Warner Super Bowl, traditionally held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World, will now take place at Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews from December 6-13, 2025. The Cheer & Dance Nationals will be hosted December 8-11, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Uptown Charlotte. Dates for the 2026 championships will be announced at a later time.

Related: Cheerleaders Perform Stunts In Parks, Hit Multiple Guests, Including Children

A Shocking Change for Disney Fans and Businesses

For years, Walt Disney World Resort has been the go-to destination for this major youth sports event, bringing thousands of athletes, families, and fans to Orlando every December. The event filled Disney hotels—particularly value resorts like Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort—and drove attendance at the theme parks, especially during what is typically a quieter time of year before the holiday rush.

Now, the decision to move the championships to North Carolina has stunned many in the Disney community, with businesses and hotels expecting a significant drop in foot traffic and revenue in early December. While Disney is no stranger to major event shifts, losing Pop Warner represents another blow to ESPN Wide World of Sports, which has hosted the event for decades.

A Silver Lining for Some Disney Guests

While many are disappointed by the move, some Disney guests are celebrating the news.

One guest took to social media to express their relief, saying:

“All-Star Sports may finally be habitable.“

All Star Sports may finally be habitable

— Ryan Barr (@Imagineer6) February 4, 2025

For years, Disney’s value resorts—especially All-Star Sports—have been packed with Pop Warner athletes and their families, making for a rowdy and energetic atmosphere that some vacationers preferred to avoid. The departure of Pop Warner may bring a quieter, more relaxed experience for guests staying at Disney’s budget-friendly resorts during this time of year.

Why the Move?

Pop Warner has not yet provided a detailed explanation for its decision to leave Orlando, but the relocation suggests a desire for a fresh venue and potential financial or logistical benefits in Charlotte. Mecklenburg County Sportsplex offers multiple fields and modern facilities, while the Charlotte Convention Center is well-equipped to host large-scale competitions.

This shift aligns with a growing trend of youth sports organizations exploring new host cities beyond traditional locations. However, it remains to be seen how the move will impact Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports and whether other events will step in to fill the gap left by Pop Warner’s departure.

With dates for the 2026 championships still to be determined, there’s always a chance that Pop Warner could consider returning to Disney in the future. However, for now, Charlotte is set to become the new home for this long-standing tradition in youth football and cheerleading. For Disney, this marks the end of an era, but for some guests, it may be a welcome change to their December vacation experience.